BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has admitted that he is ‘backing’ one player to shine in Manchester United’s forthcoming Premier League clash against Southampton.
Manchester United head to the St Mary’s on Saturday for their first fixture since the September international break, with kick-off slated for 12:30pm UK time.
Erik ten Hag’s men have had a shaky start to the new Premier League season, with United managing only one win in their opening three league matches.
The Red Devils clinched a 1-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford in their Premier League opener last month before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the Amex.
United manager Erik ten Hag saw further pressure piled on him after the Red Devils were outclassed in a 3-0 defeat to Premier League rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s side are currently 14th in the Premier League table ahead of their encounter with Southampton on the weekend.
Sutton on Southampton ahead of Man Utd match
Manchester United are tipped to return to winning ways against Southampton, with the Saints enduring a torrid start to the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Russell Martin’s men have failed to pick up a single point in their opening three matches and Southampton are 19th in the Premier League table.
Speaking on BBC Sport, Chris Sutton dropped his verdict on Southampton’s struggles under Russell Martin ahead of the Manchester United match.
“With three defeats out of three, Southampton have obviously not made a great start in terms of results,” he said.
“There has been a lot of scrutiny of the way they play too, and of Saints boss Russell Martin’s principles in playing out from the back, with people comparing them to what Burnley were like last season.
“Martin has to have a philosophy of how he wants his team to play, though, so I do have sympathy for him.
“I don’t believe there is a narrative against him either – it is just that, in their last game, Brentford pressed them high and they made mistakes and conceded some poor goals.”
Sutton makes Southampton vs Man Utd prediction
Sutton also singled out United star Marcus Rashford, who has failed to score or register a single assist in the opening league matches of the season.
Marcus Rashford was met with heavy criticism over his lacklustre form last season, with the United star even being snubbed from England’s Euro 2024 squad.
The 26-year-old United forward has teased fans with additional training that he has been doing after he was left out of the England squad for the international break.
Sutton has backed Rashford to make his mark at the St Mary’s and believes that United will secure a 2-0 result over the winless Southampton.
“It is going to be difficult for them against Manchester United too,” he continued.
“Erik ten Hag’s side have their own issues, which means people don’t predict United’s results, they guess them… but they should – should – have too much quality for Saints.
“Southampton will try to be bold but that probably means they will give up chances and, because I’ve seen Marcus Rashford has been having extra training sessions, I am going to back him and United to take them.”
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